BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - A southwest Birmingham business was heavily damaged by fire today, when work being done inside sparked a blaze.

The fire broke out about 1:45 p.m. at All-Star Recycling at 4301 Powell Ave. An employee was dismantling a van with a cutting wheel used to grind metal inside the warehouse, said Birmingham Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief C.W. Mardis.

Sparks from that machine ignited gasoline that had spilled onto the floor, and the flames quickly spread to other vehicles inside the warehouse. In all, Mardis said, three vehicles sustained fire and smoke damage.

Firefighters battled the blaze for about 20 minutes. Mardis said everyone was safely evacuated, and no one was injured.